Caltrans wants to sell locals on the idea of removing and replacing both the Albion River and Salmon Creek bridges, while grudgingly offering alternatives to save the historic Albion structure.

That was the impression most of 40 Albion residents got from a meeting April 10 with top Caltrans engineers and planners at Albion School.

Residents were impressed by the volume of information given out by the previously tight-lipped state agency. But they plan to double check everything that Caltrans said, both about the safety and engineering issues surrounding the Albion River Bridge and the promises for better traffic management during the dual replacement project.

"Caltrans wants us to believe that a new bridge is the only sensible option," said Albion resident Susan Waterfall. "A visionary engineering team might come up with a different solution that would enable us to keep the road and the bridges in Albion scenic and safe for tourism and local traffic."

Nobody so far seems to be contesting the need for a new Salmon Creek Bridge, although there is a discussion about whether the new one should be east or west of the existing bridge. The Albion River Bridge, said to be the nation's last tall wooden bridge on a major highway, is even more unique than that, having been built from recycled products during steel rationing in World War II so that air defenses could be shipped to Fort Bragg at a time when the Japanese seemed on the way. Salmon Creek is a steel bridge dying from rust.

Because Albion is a community cut off by the removal of either bridge, Caltrans is planning both bridges to be on a new alignment, rather than where the old bridge is located. Residents liked that idea.

On hand from Caltrans were Frank Demling, Caltrans project manager for Albion and Salmon Creek bridges; Adele Pommerenck, senior environmental planer; Kevin Harper, senior bridge engineer, and Lena Ashley, design branch Chief E3. The group shared thousands of pages of information with the crowd, along with numerous conceptual drawings of what the replacement bridges would look like.

There was mistrust of Caltrans by many of those in attendance, including Mendocino County Supervisor Dan Hamburg, who represents the 5th District. Residents came up with a plan to double check everything Caltrans says about the need to replace the Albion River Bridge.

Three Albion residents with engineering experience have formed a committee to review Caltrans' proposals. Another local man has funded a private study by an independent engineering firm.

The meeting came just as Caltrans began bolt replacement work on the Albion River Bridge. The 7,000 bolts that connect the old railroad box girder on top to the towering treated Douglas fir beams below have to be replaced regularly. The bolt replacement causes minor traffic delays, which are expected to happen over the next month.

Discussion between the audience and the Caltrans officials illustrated the key issues for locals. First there was some evidence Caltrans had been exaggerating about the bolts. One resident asked if all 7,000 bolts were being replaced this year. Demling conceded there was a rotation over three to five, during which time all were replaced. Then the issue of why Caltrans uses galvanized bolts arose.

Caltrans officials said stainless was very expensive. More expensive than replacing the bolts every few years? Probably not. One Caltrans official said using stainless was an idea he himself liked.

About 40 people attended the meeting.

"It was heartening to see so many people at the meeting but disturbing that the crew from Caltrans was so discouraging about rehabilitating the existing bridge. We should remain open to the possibility that Caltrans may not be portraying the situation accurately," Waterfall said.

If the Albion River Bridge is left in place for pedestrians, as many locals want, Caltrans said it would not be responsible for that bridge once the new bridge is in place. The current cost of annual maintenance is $100,000. Locals suggested that that cost could be greatly reduced by use of stainless steel bolts and rings, which, although much more costly at first, would not rust for many decades.

Harper and Demling pointed out that the problems with the Albion River Bridge go beyond fixes. They said the historic bridge has lasted as well as anyone could have imagined but may only have 10 years of useable life left, at least for highway traffic.

The Albion Bridge has substandard railings, and the width is too narrow by modern standards. There are two 12-foot wide lanes with just 12 inches to spare on either side.

Potholes indicate the decay of the deck's two layers of 3-foot wide 12-foot long timbers. To remove the asphalt surface and replace the timber deck alone will require full closure of the bridge for months.

There is heavy erosion of the external shear rings and the inner shear rings are also compromised, and cannot be reached for inspection. Split ring construction is set permanently into the wood. That means if the rings deteriorate, the wood will too. (Again locals questioned whether using stainless would be a permanent solution to such vexing problems and nobody could contest the point.)

Locals were frustrated with what seemed to them like Caltrans' use of outdated technology and non-prime materials like galvanized metals which most local contractors wouldn't use on oceanfront property.

Michael Issel, a local engineer, suggested new technologies are available for determining the amount of rust on internal sheer rings, without shutting the bridge down.

About a decade ago, a car veered into the path of a big rig, knocking the tractor trailer off the Albion River Bridge. The big rig smashed through the rail and dangled from the bridge before falling 125 feet to the south bank of the river. The rescue of the driver was miraculous but the crash left permanent damage to Albion Bridge.

A petition to retain the historic Albion River Bridge is being circulated by Carol Clary. It is available at the Albion Grocery.

Demling encourages those with questions about the bridge projects to connect with him by phone, 707-445-6554, or email frank.demling@dot.ca.gov.